Inflatable building structure

ABSTRACT

A building structure formed of a plurality of elongated strips of synthetic polymeric material interwoven at right angles to one another. The overlapping strips are adhesively secured together, and tie-down means are provided for engaging with free ends of the strips so as to anchor the structure in place. Alternatively, dual wall air-filled bags may be disposed between the overlapped portions of the strips.

United States Patent 11 1 1111 3,911,631

Cooper Oct. 14, 1975 [54] INFLATABLE BUILDING STRUCTURE 3,705,835 12/1972 Badrian 161/90 3,816,885 6 1974 S th 24 243 K [76] Inventor: Richard F. Cooper, 104 Mountam ae er View Road, Trenton, NJ. 08628 Primary ExammerFrank L. Abbott Flledl 1974 Assistant ExaminerCarl D. Friedman [21] APPL No; 441,902 Altorney, Agent, or FirmWatson, Cole, Grindle &

Watson [52] US. Cl 52/2; 161/90; 24/243 K 51 Int. Cl. E04B 1/345 [57] ABSTRACT [58] Field Of Search A building structure formed of a plurality of elongated 4/243 K strips of synthetic polymeric material interwoven at right angles to one another. The overlapping strips are References Cited adhesively secured together, and tie-down means are UNITED STATES PATENTS provided for engaging with free ends of the strips so as 3,008,2l4 11/1961 Foster et al 161/90 x to anchor the structure in Place- Alternaively dual 3,059,657 10/1962 Turner 52 2 Wall air-filled bags y be disposed between the Over- 3,226,285 12 1965 Iovenko 52 2 UX pp p n f h trip 3,307,30l 3/1967 Jacobsohn et al. 52/2 0 3,355,851 lmbertson et a] 52 2 x 3 Clams, 12 Drawing Flgures US. Patent Oct. 14, 1975 shw 1 of 2 3,911,631

U.S. Patent Oct. 14, 1975 Sheet 2 of2 3,911,631

INFLATABLE BUILDING STRUCTURE This invention relates generally to building structures, and more particularly to such structures formed of a plurality of interwoven strips of synthetic polymeric material adhered together at the overlap portions thereof.

Air inflated structures of many types are presently available for use as domes or covers in the building art. The covers may be multi-curved or cylindrical to serve a wide variety of needs. However, unless the material forming the structure is of a single piece, a plurality of strips or sections of material are normally fastened together along abutting or overlapping side edges in the formation of a cover for a large space. The single-piece covers are generally impractical from the standpoint of their cost and handling. On the other hand, strips of material secured together along their abutting or overlapping side edges as by stitching, adhesives and the like, are only as effective as the strength of these joints. In the lengthwise direction of the strips, the cover is as strong as the material from which the strips are made. However, in a direction across the various joints, the cover strength depends principally upon the strength of the various overlapping or abutting joints. To provide stronger joints of this type only results in higher material and labor costs.

It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to provide an inflatable-type building structure capable of withstanding high internal and external loads in both directions in a simple, efficicnt and highly economical manner.

Another object is to provide such a building structure which is comprised of a plurality of elongated strips of synthetic polymeric material of constant width, the strips being interwoven together at right angles to one another so as to form a substantially rectangular cover. The overlapped portions of the strips are adhesively secured together, and opposite ends of the strips are conveniently tied down in place at the building site.

A further object of this invention is to provide such a building structure wherein dual wall air-filled bags are disposed between the overlapped portions of the strips.

A still further object is to provide such a building structure wherein tie-down means are used for clamping each of the strips at their free ends to a ground anchor. Alternatively, the strips at two sides of the cover may be anchored to the ground while the strips at the other two sides thereof may be secured to rigid hoops so as to form a cover structure.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a building structure formed of a plurality of elongated strips of synthetic polymeric material in accordance with theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the structure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a slightly enlarged view of the cover showing the interwoven strips;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are respectively sectional views of the overlapped strips forming the cover taken along lines 44 and 55 of FIG. 3;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are respectively sectional views of different embodiments of the interwoven cover;

FIG. 8 is a perspective showing of the cover used with rigid rings for erecting it in place;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a tie-down means for the strips of the cover;

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the tie-down means of FIG. 9;

FIG. 10A is an end view of the FIG. 10 tie-down means; and

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of another tie-down means for the strips of the cover.

Turning now to the drawings wherein like reference characters refer to like and corresponding parts throughout the several views, a cover or flexible building structure is generally designated 20 in FIGS. 1 and 2, conventional blower means 21 being provided for inflating the cover after it has been tied down in place. The cover is formed of a plurality of elongated strips 22 and 23 of constant width throughout, each of the strips being of a synthetic polymeric material. The strips themselves are preferably each formed of tightly woven strands of such material. Also, strips 22 are interwoven with strips 23 similar to that of a basket weave as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The overlapping portions between strips 22 and 23 are adhesively secured together as at 24 and 25. Accordingly, the underside of strip 23 is adhesively secured to the top side of strip 22 as at junction point 26 (see FIG. 4), and likewise throughout the cross-pattem of the strips. And the underside of strip 22 is adhesively secured to the top side of strip 23. The adhesive connections between the overlapping strips are not shown in either FIGS. 4 or 5 in the interest of clarity.

As an alternative, reinforcement strands 28 and 29 may be interwoven with strips 22 and 23 as in the manner shown in FIG. 6. Also, dual wall air-filled bags 31 may be disposed between the overlapping portions of the strips, shown slightly enlarged in FIG. 7, before these overlapped portions are adhesively secured together.

If desired, rectangular cover 20 may also be erected as in FIG. 8 with the use of rigid, arcuate and spaced rings 32. The opposite free ends of interwoven strips 22 thereof may be then be simply secured in any normal manner to each of the rings. Since these strips extend lengthwise of the structure of FIG. 8 between rings 32, guy wires 33 are all that are needed to maintain this structure in an erect position. The guy wires may be secured at one end to rings 32 and at their opposite ends anchored to the ground in some normal manner.

For the purpose of anchoring cover 20 of the type shown in FIGS. 1, 2 or that shown in FIG. 8, a simple tie-down means 34 as shown in FIG. 9 may be used. As seen in this Figure, ends 23a of strips 23 extend outwardly of the last of cross strips 22. This may be easily effected at the time the strips are interwoven. This free end 23a is then wrapped about a hollow tube 35, of a length substantially equal to the width of strip 23, after which a flexible sleeve 36 (of polyvinyl chloride, for example) is slid in place over end 23a. Sleeve 36 has a longitudinal slit 37 therein to permit the free end 23a to extend therethrough as shown in FIG. 9. A resilient C-shaped clamp or clamps 38 may then be placed over sleeve 36 to thereby squeeze end 23a between tube 35 and sleeve 36. A tie-down line 39 may then be inserted through hollow tube 35 and anchored to the ground as by means of eye bolts 41 or the like. Tie-down means 34 may be provided for each of the strips 23 as shown in FIG. 10, and may be staggered as in the manner shown in FIG. 10A so as not to interfere with one another. Of course, tube 35 and sleeve 36 could be made sufficiently long to accommodate more than one strip 23.

Another embodiment of a tie-down means 42 is shown in FIG. 11 wherein free end 23a of the strip is wrapped about a tubular flexible insert 43, of polyvinyl chloride for example. A tubular sleeve 44 is then placed over end 23a, and a plug 45 of a diameter slightly larger than the inner relaxed diameter of insert 43 is placed within the insert shown in this Figure.

End 23a is therefore tightly engaged between insert 43 and sleeve 44. An axial opening 46 is provided in the plug through which the tie-down line 39 extends, This line may then be anchored in place in the same manner as described with reference to FIG. 10. Tie-down means 42 may likewise be staggered as in the manner of FIG. A. Also, it should be pointed out that either tie-down means 34 or 42 are used in a similar manner for strips 22 for anchoring the cover of both FIGS. 1 and 8 in place.

The quilted effect devised for the present cover, especially in accordance with the FIG. 7 embodiment, provides a better sound insulating structure than heretofore devised well as a heating and cooling advantage by reason of the improved insulation offered by bags 31. Also, the air in each of these bags or compart' ments provides a good shock absorber for the dome structure. The air pressure in these pockets has a tendency to remain constant even during extreme pressure fluctuations inside the dome due to severe gusts of wind, and outside pressure variations as well.

The quilted cover possesses improved diffused lighting characteristics creating a multi-angular type of re fraction due to the curves inside the dome.

Elongated strips 22 and 23 may be easily interwoven at the job site, so that a large and unmanageable cover need not be transported as heretofore required. Rolls of the strips may be delivered to the building site, un rolled and interwoven with little mechanical skill required and without the need for extensive and costly equipment. Since these strips are not interconnected along their side edges as in prior art designs, the cover is equally strong in both directions. No stress is placed on any cross jointsthus, elaborate and timeconsuming seaming techniques are completely avoided by the invention.

By reason of the air pockets 31 the cover may easily float when installed over a large body of water such as swimming pools, sewage vats, or water reservoirs.

As mentioned above, the interwoven strips comprising the cover provide strength in their lengthwise directions whereby a strong and durable cover of any large size in both directions is made possible. The natural and original strength of each strip is not in any way weakened as by sewing, welding or splicing along their side edges since the strips are in no way connected along such side edges. This type of interweave construction results in a cover having high tear stength and tensile strength characteristics with maximum efficiency in the use of the strips.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 10A, the cover is anchored in place by tying down each strip at their opposite ends thereby taking advantage of the natural elongated strength of each strip rather than applying a pulldown force across a seam between strips as in the past. Moreover, provision of different colored strips at specific intervals can effect a multitude of color designs and a large variety of color schemes. For example, alternate strips could be of a frosted, clear thermoplastic material for admitting substantially more natural sunlight as compared to the use of opaque or dark-colored strips.

The cover may be erected into shapes other than those disclosed as, for example, pyramid or cone shaped, without the need for special cables or other tiedown devices. Also, additional cover stength is made possible by interweaving a network of cables or ropes as in the manner shown in FIG. 6 to thereby compound the total strength of the cover structure symmetrically or diagonally, or in any other geometric manner for adding to the strength of any irregularly shaped air structure.

Although not specifically shown, it should be understood that doors or other passageways may be conveniently provided where required.

Solar heat could be taken advantage of by covering a large exposed area with a black or dark-colored covering to absorb the heat from the sun. Moreover, means may conveniently be provided along the periphery of the cover to further avoid entry of rain, water or-outside air into the cover structure.

Obviously, many other modifications and variations of the present invention are made possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:

1. An air inflatable building structure comprising, a generally rectangular cover fixed to a horizontal support, said cover comprising a plurality of elongated first strips of synthetic polymeric material of constant width, a plurality of elongated second strips of synthetic polymeric material of constant width interwoven with said first strips at right angles thereto, the overlapped portions of said interwoven strips being adhesively secured together thereby rendering said cover substantially fluid impervious, first opposite ends of said cover having said first strips extending freely outwardly of said second strips, the'remaining opposite ends of said cover having said second strips extending freely outwardly of said first strips, tie-down means for said cover engaging with each of said outwardly extending strips, said tie-down means including hollow tubes, flexible sleeves surrounding said tubes, at least one of said outwardly extending strips being disposed between one of said tubes and one of said sleeves, C- clamps tightly engaging said sleeves for retaining said outwardly extending strips in place, and a flexible cable extending through said tubes and being secured to said support.

2. The building structure according to claim 1 wherein air-filled bags are disposed 'between'said overlappedportions of said strips.

tubes and said sleeves, C-clamps tightly engaging said sleeves for retaining said strips at said first opposite ends in place, rigid curved hoops at said remaining opposite ends of said cover, opposite ends of said outwardly second strips being secured to said hoops, and guy lines connecting said hoops to said horizontal support. 

1. An air inflatable building structure comprising, a generally rectangular cover fixed to a horizontal support, said cover comprising a plurality of elongated first strips of synthetic polymeric material of constant width, a plurality of elongated second strips of synthetic polymeric material of constant width interwoven with said first strips at right angles thereto, the overlapped portions of said interwoven strips being adhesively secured together thereby rendering said cover substantially fluid impervious, first opposite ends of said cover having said first strips extending freely outwardly of said second strips, the remaining opposite ends of said cover having said second strips extending freely outwardly of said first strips, tie-down means for said cover engaging with each of said outwardly extending strips, said tie-down means including hollow tubes, flexible sleeves surrounding said tubes, at least one of said outwardly extending strips being disposed between one of said tubes and one of said sleeves, C-clamps tightly engaging said sleeves for retaining said outwardly extending strips in place, and a flexible cable extending through said tubes and being secured to said support.
 2. The building structure according to claim 1 wherein air-filled bags are disposed between said overlapped portions of said strips.
 3. A curved building structure comprising, a generally rectangular cover fixed to a horizontal support, said cover comprising a plurality of elongated first strips of synthetic polymeric material of constant width, a plurality of elongated second strips of synthetic polymeric material of constant width interwoven with said first strips at right angles thereto, the overlapped portions of said interwoven strips being adhesively secured together thereby rendering said cover substantially fluid impervious, first opposite ends of said cover having said first strips extending freely outwardly of said second strips, the remaining opposite ends of said cover having said second strips extending freely outwardly of said first strips, tie-down means for said cover engaging with said outwardly extending strips at said first opposite ends of said cover, said tie-down means including hollow tubes, flexible sleeves surrounding said tubes, said outwardly extending strips at said first opposite ends being disposed between said tubes and said sleeves, C-clamps tightly engaging said sleeves for retaining said strips at said first opposite ends in place, rigid curved hoops at said remaining opposite ends of said cover, opposite ends of said outwardly second strips being secured to said hoops, and guy lines connecting said hoops to said horizontal support. 